I just watched the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Golden State Warriors. Marquee match-up? Of course not. It was a close game but I was more amazed at what I witnessed. First-year player, Brandon Jennings, put the Bucks on his back, scoring 55 points (including seven 3-pointers), 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Now I can hear all my basketball buddies yelling, “There Scott go, jumpin’ on the BrandonJennings bandwagon just cause dude scored 55 points.” (Keep in mind, Jennings is a rookie. Scored 21 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists back in his first game of the season. And of those 55 points, 29 came in one quarter, and ho-hum he broke the team record of most points in a game previously held by Lew Alcindor, a.k.a. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.) Truth of the matter is that the performance did not get me to jump on, but rather it kept me on as I read more and more stories that made me appeal to his actions off the court. (I’m also loving the fact that I have him on my fantasy team. He single-handedly locked me in for a win this week.)

Drafted 10th in the 2009 NBA draft, Jennings was chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks. He stands only at about 6’1″, is paper thin, and is a lefty. His road to the NBA was a detour from the norm. Instead of going to college after high school, he opted to play overseas for a year. He struggled there as he says he played against grown men every game. He made headlines when he publicly blasted the New York Knicks for not picking him higher in the draft, showed up late to the draft in a primadonna-esque fashion, and even boasted about how much better he was than his competition. All this negativity sure made me shake my head, but once the hoopla of the draft died down, I started to read about all the positive stories coming from the Jennings camp. Like how he decided to save his rookie salary by not splurging on materialistic items. While most would immediately buy a Bentley, Ferrari, or Hummer, Brandon decided to buy a Ford Edge. Sure he pimped it out, but still. He also bought a place close to work so he could walk there. But what got me was when I read he donated $50,000 to the city of L’Aquila, Italy after it was rocked by that devastating earthquake. What teenager does that? Couple this with his on-court prowess, he’s a player I’d be happy to keep tabs on.

It’s cool that he’s bringing life and excitement to a small market team in Milwaukee much like LeBron James is doing in Cleveland. It’s good for the economy and keeps the field competitive.

Don’t get me wrong, when he faces my Lakers, my man-crush will be buried. But until then, play on player.

Dr. Allison Cameron

My inaugural Pin-up of the month will commence as a farewell tribute to Jennifer Morrison’s character, Dr. Allison Cameron, who makes her exit on House after six seasons. The doe-eyed doctor was a worthy member of Dr. House’s crack medical team and sparred brilliantly with her male counterparts. She will be missed.

We all had posters plastered all over our bedroom walls when we were young. And don’t lie…some of you still do. Be it of celebrities, athletes, automobiles, comic book legends, or even just scenery. To pay tribute to the “art” that glamours my world, every month I’ll have a new “pin-up” for my virtual Scott-ch playroom. To be fair to my readers, I’ll show gender equality when necessary, but preference equality will probably differ, often greatly.

GET READY TO REAP THE WHIRLWIND.

It’s been a long time coming to see the Larry O’Brien trophy back in the city of Los Angeles, home of my beloved Lakers. As with any newly-crowned champion comes the daunting task of defending the title. And it’s gonna be a real battle. This summer of 2009 had so many teams making upgrades, the most wheeling and dealing I’ve ever seen in any offseason. Fortunately the champs made a move of their own, possibly trumping all other deals made by the rest of the field. Barring injuries, teams are locked and loaded, and I anticipate a heavyweight fight to the finish. Here is my analysis of which teams will make the most noise for the upcoming 2009-2010 NBA season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Probable starters: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum.

Key reserves: Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton.

Player to watch: Andrew Bynum 24-second analysis: Trevor Ariza will be missed, but the Lakers got an upgrade in Ron Artest. Ariza was a gazelle on the wing, but Artest is the grizzly that LA needs to help defend the Carmelos and Lebrons of the league. This will help Kobe conserve energy throughout the season by not being solely relied on to stop the other team’s best player. At 31, Kobe needs to pace himself and rely on his teammates, particularly Pau Gasol, who is too talented to not average 20/10 numbers. The team must also get more consistent 3-point shooting to help open up the middle for the Laker bigs. If Andrew Bynum can stay healthy for the entire year and return to the potential he showed last season, the Lakers, already favored, will be a lock to win it all.

Probable starters: Tony Parker, Michael Finley, Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Tim Duncan.

Key reserves: Manu Ginobli, Roger Mason, Jr., George Hill, Matt Bonner, Dejuan Blair, Theo Ratliff.

Player to watch: Richard Jefferson. 24-second analysis: Consistently favored to battle for the West’s top spot, the Spurs find themselves back in contention despite an injury plagued season that contributed to last year’s first round exit. The team made headlines early this summer by completing three monster deals. 1. Stealing college All-American Dejuan Blair with the 37th pick in the 2nd round of the draft. 2. Free agent signing of Antonio McDyess. 3. Last but not least, the trade for swingman Richard Jefferson. Jefferson gives them not only insurance for Ginobli, should he be injured again, but a stud at the 3 spot to create offensively and be a nice wing defender. The triple threat of their core, Duncan, Parker, and Ginobli is a nightmare for any team, and with their offseason acquisitions, if healthy, they are primed to make a run to dethrone L.A.

Probable starters: Chauncey Billups, Joey Graham, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin, Nene Hilario.

Key reserves: JR Smith, Aaron Afflalo, Chris Andersen, Anthony Carter, Ty Lawson.

Player to watch: JR Smith. 24-second analysis: It was a banner year for the Denver organization, surpassing even their own expectations, who were two games away from advancing to the NBA Finals. It’s hard to weigh a team’s fortunes on one particular player, but that’s what happened when they traded away Allen Iverson (failure) for Chauncey Billups (success). Billups brought undervalued veteran leadership to a hot-headed Nuggets team. Age is not on his side though as he failed to live up to his “Mr. Big Shot” nickname. JR Smith (suspended for the first seven games due to a reckless driving conviction) is the one player who is so explosive offensively, that if he can somehow harness his talent and keep his cool, he could help propel the Nuggets to a return trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Probable starters: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Shawn Marion, Dirk Nowitzki, Eric Dampier.

Key reserves: Jason Terry, Jose Barea, Drew Gooden, Matt Carroll, Quinton Ross, James Singleton.

Player to watch: Shawn Marion. 24-second analysis: The window is closing on Dallas fast. After blowing their opportunity for a title years ago against Miami, they’ve been hanging around the West, not really making any noise. Well, the chatter has resurfaced now that they acquired Shawn Marion to their frontcourt, and added depth to their bench with Drew Gooden and Matt Carroll. If Marion can give them added defense and outside shooting, the Mavs are the dark horse to overtake the Nuggets and Spurs.

Probable starters: Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden.

Key reserves: Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez, Martell Webster,  Travis Outlaw, Joel Pryzbilla.

Player to watch: Martell Webster. 24-second analysis: I don’t know if Martell Webster is THE player to watch, but he is the player I’M going to keep an eye on. Before he went down with a foot injury, he was a steady wing, who showed flashes of becoming a solid role player. I was drawn to his game, reminded me of a new school Sidney Moncrief. The Blazers bombed in the free agent market this summer but did come away with veteran point guard, Andre Miller. The team is loaded with youth and raw talent. Their time is coming.

Probable starters: Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur.

Key reserves: Paul Millsap, Brevin Knight, Ronnie Price, Kyle Korver.

Player to watch: Carlos Boozer 24-second analysis: When and to where will Carlos Boozer be traded are the burning questions that will swirl the Utah Jazz this season. There’s no doubt he is a talent, but with teams holding on to their wallets, Boozer might be with the team till the trading deadline in February. This could be a distraction to a team that could compete with the West’s upper echelon. A full season from Deron Williams is needed for the Jazz to stay in the middle of the playoff hunt.

Probable starters: Chris Paul, Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, Emeka Okafor.

Key reserves: James Posey, Antonio Daniels, Darren Collison, Melvin Ely.

Player to watch: Emeka Okafor. 24-second analysis: The Hornets were supposed to be the rising power in the West behind arguably the best point guard in the league, Chris Paul. But injuries and poor personnel decisions have sunk this team to the bottom of the playoff pool. Their off season trade of their center, Tyson Chandler, in exchange for Emeka Okafor will give them more offensive firepower up front, but no doubt they will miss Chandler’s defensive presence. They will compete if healthy, but it’s hard to envision them toppling any of the West’s elite teams.

Probable starters: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Rasual Butler, Blake Griffin, Marcus Camby.

Key reserves: Al Thornton, Ricky Davis, Sebastian Telfair, DeAndre Jordan, Craig Smith.

Player to watch: Blake Griffin. 24-second analysis: Another team plagued by injuries last year, the Clippers return with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, Blake Griffin. For those unfamiliar with Griffin, he is a beast. Homeboy has no fear attacking the rim or hustling at both ends. He’s not a single-handed-franchise-changing-type-player, but surround him with a nice veteran cast, and you have a dark horse team in the making. The Clips also added depth to their bench by trading for point guard Sebastian Telfair, swingman Rasual Butler, and a wide body in Craig Smith. If Baron Davis can play up to his talent level and stay injury-free, along with Marcus Camby, the Clips are in.

Team on the bubble: Last season, Houston showed grit and toughness, taking the Lakers to seven games in the playoffs. They obtained Trevor Ariza from the world champs but he is more of a complimentary player as opposed to his counterpart, Ron Artest. The Rockets will play most of the season without their cornerstones, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Both are expected to make comebacks this year. If the Rockets can stay competitive in the West, I look for them to make a late playoff push if their leaders return.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Probable starters: Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, LeBron James, Anderson Varejao, Shaquille O’Neal.

Key reserves: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon, Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Leon Powe.

Player to watch: LeBron James. 24-second analysis: Touted as the best player in the league (whatever!), Lebron James will have all eyes on him as he not only tries to redeem his team’s embarrassing loss to Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals, but also to see if this will be his last season in Cleveland, opting for free agency. The team landed Shaquille O’Neal, so expectation is high, failure not being an option. Shaq will definitely help bolster their frontline. They added depth to their bench by signing swingmen, Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. The status of Delonte West is undetermined but the team is talented enough to win the East again.

Probable starters: Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Ryan Anderson, Dwight Howard.

Key reserves: Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, Anthony Johnson, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams.

Player to watch: Ryan Anderson.24-second analysis: Although Orlando lost to the Lakers in the Finals last year, the team was considered a rising contender for years to come, so it came as a surprise when they opted to not resign their top playmaker, Hedo Turkoglu. That created a domino effect as they also traded their outstanding rookie, Courtney Lee, for Vince Carter. Although a little past his prime, Carter is still a potent offensive player, but Orlando will miss Turkoglu’s creativity. Still the Magic were able to retain their backup center, Marcin Gortat, who provided excellent relief for Dwight Howard. Signing Brandon Bass will help Howard defensively. Also, Coach Van Gundy is warning anyone who’ll listen to not sleep on the “throw-in” player from the Carter trade, Ryan Anderson. Coach is high on him. I look for Orlando to compete with Cleveland and Boston for the top spot in the East.

Probable starters: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins.

Key reserves: Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Marquis Daniels, Eddie House, Tony Allen.

Player to watch: Rasheed Wallace. 24-second analysis: The “win-now” gamble of a window the Celtics took by adding veteran superstars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen is closing fast. Father time is not on their side as Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce are all nearing their mid-30′s. The front office recognized this and reacted by signing Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels to help bolster their bench and provide relief minutes for their Big 3. This team feeds off of Garnett, so he needs to be 100% healthy for the team to return to the Finals, which they are capable of. If Wallace can successfully irritate Shaq and Dwight, and stretch the opposing team’s defense with his outside shooting, the Celtics will be hard to beat.

Probable starters: Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, Al Horford.

Key reserves: Jamal Crawford, Maurice Evans, Zaza Pachulia. Jason Collins.

Player to watch: Marvin Williams.  24-second analysis: Each year, the Hawks have been rising in the East but always coming up short in the playoffs. The team remains intact but have added prolific shooting guard, Jamal Crawford. This definitely gives them more offensive firepower, but they need help from their two recent draft picks, Al Horford and Marvin Williams. Hampered by injuries, Williams still has yet to perform at the level many think he is capable of playing at.

Probable starters: Gilbert Arenas, Mike Miller, Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, Brendan Haywood.

Key reserves: Randy Foye, Fabricio Oberto, JaVale McGee, DeShawn Stevenson.

Player to watch: Gilbert Arenas. 24-second analysis: Crippled with injuries to their key players, Washington returns healthy and with added firepower getting Mike Miller and Randy Foye from Minnesota. They also added veteran big man, Fabricio Oberto, to their young front court. Their leader Gilbert Arenas seems to have fully recovered from his knee injury and is eager to prove to the rest of the league he’s back. Arenas has already started his notorious trash talking, boasting that he and his team are coming back with a vengeance. Offensively, the Wizards are loaded.

Probable starters: Jose Calderon, DeMar DeRozan, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani.

Key reserves: Jarret Jack, Marco Belinelli, Rasho Nesterovic, Reggie Evans, Amir Johnson.

Player to watch: Hedo Turkoglu. 24-second analysis: Toronto was very active this offseason, but made headlines when they lured Hedo Turkoglu away from the defending Eastern Conference Champion, Orlando Magic. Turkoglu really established himself with Orlando, showcasing his play-making abilities and clutch-shooting. He joins another dominant big man in Chris Bosh, and a talented, international group of players. I look for the Raptors to play a run-and-gun style, and perhaps be a dark horse in the East.

Probable starters: Derrick Rose, John Salmons, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah.

Key reserves: Brad Miller, Kirk Hinrich, Jannero Pargo, Jerome James, Lindsey Hunter.

Player to watch: Luol Deng. 24-second analysis: Who can forget the 1st round of the playoffs last year when the young Bulls took the then-defending champion, Boston Celtics, to seven games before being ousted? Rookie of the year, Derrick Rose, really made an impression with his explosive crossovers and strength to the basket. They did lose their super-sub, Ben Gordon, to free agency, but are getting back their versatile forward, Luol Deng, and did pick up quality back-up, Jannero Pargo. Those two should make up for Gordon’s departure.

Probable starters: Mario Chalmers, Dwayne Wade, Michael Beasley, Udonis Haslem, Jermaine O’Neal.

Key reserves: Daequan Cook, Dorell Wright, Jamaal Magloire, James Jones, Quentin RIchardson, Carlos Arroyo.

Player to watch: Dwayne Wade. 24-second analysis: With so many teams in the East improving their roster via free agency or by getting healthy again, it’s hard to envision Miami being a major contender, especially when they’ve made no moves this summer. Dwayne Wade is a force to be reckoned with but he can’t be expected to carry the team through 82 games and the playoffs. 2nd year player, Michael Beasley needs to assert himself offensively to give Wade some help. If GM Pat Riley doesn’t make a significant trade and/or the Heat do not make the playoffs, this could be Wade’s final season in Miami.

Team on the bubble: The Sixers always play tough and give stiff competition to whomever they face in the playoffs. Their big free agent acquisition last year, Elton Brand, was a disappointment due to injury. They also lost veteran leadership with Andre Miller signing with Portland. Their thoroughbred players, Andre Igoudala and Thaddeus Young give them youth and explosiveness. If Brand can give them the low post presence they paid for, the Sixers could be a surprise once again.

Personally, I am really praying that there are no injuries because I want to see the best of the best battle to the bitter end. So many teams have restocked and reloaded for a shot at the reigning champs. I think the Lakers will battle the Spurs in the West Finals. In the East, I think Orlando retooled better than expected after giving up three key members from last year’s team. They squeak by Cleveland and Boston.

My preseason pick of the final two that will be standing in June:

And the winner is…

The mini-series spawned an unsuccessful TV series, but left a lasting impression on me and obviously the honchos at the ABC network, who have ordered up a remake. For those who watched, who could forget the moment one of the alien leaders gobbled up a guinea pig, or when a girl, who slept with one of the aliens, gave birth to a lizard.

The casting then was a potpourri of lesser known actors, with the remake following the same blueprint. In the original version, the lead was played by Marc Singer (The Beastmaster), this time around it’s Elizabeth Mitchell, most noted for her work on Lost. I was a fan of V back then, and despite re-watching it and gawking at the absurdity of it all, it did lay a solid foundation in my head for cinematic war against space invaders.

The new V will debut on 11/03/09 for 4 episodes, then cliff-hang us till March 2010. Bastards.

Here’s a “then and now” to amuse:

“POISON, DROWNING, CLAW, OR KNIFE. SO MANY WAYS TO TAKE A LIFE.”

PLAYERS: Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Leslie Bibb, Dylan Baker

COACH: Michael Dougherty (Season’s Greetings, Writer for X2, Superman Returns)

STYLE: Horror / Tales From the Crypt style

MEMORABLE QUOTE: “She’s not a retard. She’s an idiot-savant.”

This was one of the two horror movies I planned on screening for my ’09 Horrorfest, and what a great way to start it off. Trick ‘r Treat is a collection of four separate horror stories woven into a single movie. Other than providing exceptional thrills and chills, the fun was seeing how all of the stories were interconnected. A big reason why I wanted to watch this was because it was produced by Bryan Singer, the man who was involved with The Usual Suspects, X-Men, Superman Returns, and the hit TV show, House M.D. His track record is one I admire, and his influence is evident here. Under the direction of scribe Michael Dougherty, the movie focuses on various Halloween superstitions and what happens when they are tested.

After watching this (twice), I was thoroughly entertained and wondered why this never received more hype upon its theatrical release, if there ever was one. It was of high quality and I found it quite original, which is hard to pull off at this day and age. The casting was good. Fans of the show, Dead Like Me, look to see if you recognize a few faces. It was subtle, but being a die-hard, I noticed.

Trick ‘r Treat is a solid choice for something new to spook you this Halloween. Important tip: Remember to always check your candy. Seriously.

$ VALUE: $$$$

$$$$$ – “You’re so money, you don’t even know it.”

$$$$ – “Worth every penny.”

$$$ – “Fair price.”

$$ – “I’m not made of money.”

$ – “A fool and his money are soon parted.”

Posted in horror, Movies Tagged: critic, dvd review, horror, Horror movies, movie reviews, Movies, trick r treat movie ]]> http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/creepshow/feed/ 0 lonebeagle trick_poster http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/zombies-vampires-and-michael-myers/ http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/2009/10/02/zombies-vampires-and-michael-myers/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:00:37 +0000 Scott http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/?p=655 ]]> The month of October in cinematic terms means one thing for me: Horror fest. Tradition dictates that during the entire month, I load up my Netflix and Blockbuster Jack O’ Lanterns with enough chills and thrills to satisfy my inner gore hound for the entire year. I blame (or credit) my fascination for the macabre on my mom and my cousin, Lance. As a kid, I was subjected to the scariest and wackiest horror films. Hiding under the covers, fingers over the face, hands cupping the ears, enjoying every single minute.

Like favoring certain cuisines, I have my favorite Horror genres. Now days, the kids (gosh I’m old) are into ruined remakes of Asian horror (see The Ring or The Grudge) or torture porn (see Saw or Hostel). Not me. I like the good old fashioned stuff. My poisons consist of blood-suckers, brain-munchers, and knife-weilders. Every October I make sure I have a nice mix of classics and new entries. The following list reveals my Top 5 favorite Horror movies of all-time, along with the two new screamers I’m screening for 2009.

5. The Evil Dead. (1981)

REASONS: One of the best, “OMG-we’re-stuck-in-the-woods-trapped-by-an-evil-force-and-can’t-escape plots.” So creepy, extremely gory, heinously hilarious. Plus, Sam Raimi directed it and Bruce Campbell starred in it.

SURVIVAL TIP: When in doubt, Chainsaw.

4. Let The Right One In. (2008)

REASONS: Made in Sweden. If there was ever a vampire movie that could truly be described as “hauntingly beautiful,” this would be the one. Watching this really felt like I was visually reading the novel it is based on. I love how it tapped into my imagination. (Even though it just came out in 2008, a U.S. remake (ugh!) is already in production.)

SURVIVAL TIP: Children can be just as evil. Human or not.

3. Jaws. (1975)

REASONS: Face it. The reason most of us are afraid of the ocean is because of Steven Speilberg. Jaws is timeless, instilling doubt and fear amongst beach-goers and skinny dippers alike.

SURVIVAL TIP: Get a bigger boat.

2. Dawn of the Dead. (2004)

REASONS: I heart zombies. I know it’s sacrilege to choose a remake over an original. but director Zack Snyder (300, The Watchmen) really improved on George A. Romero’s masterpiece. He tightened up the story and gave his zombies speed, making this one of the most successful throwback horror movies of the new millenium. (I always fantasized about being trapped in a mall and forced to rely on its resources to ward off the undead. I may need counseling.)

SURVIVAL TIP: Always, always, ALWAYS aim for the head.

1. Halloween. (1978)

REASONS: Michael Myers. The quintessential Boogeyman. This is another example of a film that stands the test of time with a classic formula. The deranged mental patient, the cute babysitter, her naive friends, and the hero doctor all thrown together on the scariest night of the year. Forget the sequels and the lame Rob Zombie remakes. The original Halloween offers a true cinematic Horror experience. (I usually watch this every Hallow’s Eve and crank up the volume, trying to scare the trick-or-treaters. Muahahahaha!!)

SURVIVAL TIP: Let the authorities check to see if he’s REALLY dead.

THIS YEAR’S FRESH MEAT:

DRAG ME TO HELL

WHAT: Loan officer picks the worst time to be a bitch.

WHY: Sam Raimi’s first return to horror in years. (See No. 5.)

TRICK ‘R TREAT

WHAT: 4 different stories of what happens when you test Halloween superstitions.

WHY: Anna Paquin is in it. Bryan Singer produced it.

“One need not be a chamber to be haunted; One need not be a house; The brain has corridors surpassing Material place.” - Emily Dickinson

Every person has their own favorite place where they go to retire for the evening. Places where they seek solitude, alone time to unwind from life’s daily struggles. On the beach, under a tree, at a bar, or maybe even on the toilet. Some bring books to read, or newspapers to browse, or even laptops to surf at these holiest of places. Mine happens to be in my living room, in front of my HD, spending a couple of hours as nationally scheduled, whisking away my troubles in the realm of make-believe and competition. I am romanticizing my point way too much, so when the following events below are on television, do not, I repeat, DO NOT disturb me unless you figuratively want to see Bruce Banner turn into The Hulk.

I know I am not alone when it comes to cutting off all forms of communication when 24 comes on. Certain relatives and friends are equally “religulous,” if not more. The adventures of Jack Bauer spoiling the latest terrorist plot in 24 television hours is a personal thrill. Every year he flashes his wallet and every year it says, “Bad Mutherf*#&er” on it. (Hey Terence, notice who is also in the picture. Almeida till the end!)

A friend of mine described this show best: “It’s if J.J. Abrams (creator of Lost) did The X-Files.” I was a cult member of The X-Files so when I saw the pilot, I was a bit skeptical due to my devotion to the show, but Fringe is the real deal. There’s monsters, there’s unexplained phenomenons, there’s the FBI involvement, and there’s well placed humor. Sound familiar right? (They even paid homage to the adventures of Mulder and Scully with quaint and subtle references in a couple of episodes.) Fascinating cases and a solid cast.

I covered what the appeal to House was in my other post, “What I’m DVR-ing this fall…(2009).” I will add that more often than not, I get completely lost when they sling their medical jargon back and forth, but the fact that this show continues to keep fresh and interesting after five seasons is a testament to its writers and cast.

If you have never watched Lost before, don’t start now. Seriously, the plot is so complex that you won’t understand what the heck is going on, nor will you fully experience or appreciate the true Lost experience. Add to the fact that the show is entering its final season, you really are better served to rent the DVD’s, watch from the beginning, and absorb each character’s connection to each other and to the island. Being filmed on Oahu is an extreme pleasure, and as an islander, gives me a sense of pride knowing that one of TV’s hottest commodities is coming from my backyard.

Listen carefully. The Wire is THE best crime drama ever shown in the history of television. This HBO original spanned five seasons and while each one tackled different subject matters, the culmination resulted in compelling and thought-provoking episodes. The subject matter covered drug dealing, gang wars, the police, politics, ethics, retribution and redemption, all set in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland. Me trying to intricately describe it would not do justice to its creators. A mature mind and attitude are recommended for viewing. Bang-bang-shoot-em-up this is not. Best crime drama EVER. Yeah, I said it.

Save your breath. Don’t want to hear it.

Los Angeles Lakers basketball. This is the holiest of holies. Be careful stepping into my world when the game is on. I always warn those who choose to sit next to me during televised Laker games. I am a different person. I’m known to be timid, shy, nice, polite, yada yada yada. I admire Jack Nicholson, not just for his acting skills, but for his tireless devotion to watching his (our) team play during the good times and bad. Once that ball is tipped, my inner Nicholson is channeled. I yell, I clap, I scream, I cry (only once). If the Lakers are playing, you’ll know where to find me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the outdoors. I enjoy basking in the Hawaiian sunlight. But these are my television addictions. Silly, but it’s safer than drugs.

Two films stand out for me. United 93 is a movie depicting the events that took place upon the hijacked United Airlines flight that crashed in a field outside of Pennsylvania.

Nine Innings From Ground Zero takes a different course. It shows how after the events of 9/11, a simple sport like baseball served as a much needed way for people to cope and for a moment, become a symbol of “United We Stand.”

Both of these films are not exploitative by any means. They are unscripted expositions of great courage, humanity and selflessness.

My own personal experience with 9/11 is miniscule in perspective, but one that I will never forget. I was working as a Reservationist for United Airlines, and vividly remember that day when I arrived at the call center. I walked in and the phone lines were lit up, agents working frantically, and the jumbo screen was broadcasting live news coverage. I immediately plugged in and started talking to passengers, instructing them on what the status of their flights were, that all air traffic was grounded till further notice. I could hear other agents trying to calm down those who were frantic trying to get home and scrambling for alternatives. I also remember getting calls from people who just wanted to pass along their condolences to our fellow pilots and flight attendants who died that day.

The most vivid call I remember was with a gentleman who was stuck in a certain city trying to get back home. I calmly tried to explain that there were no flights going out at this time and that everyone is being rebooked on the next available flight which could take a couple of days. Understandably, he was frustrated. We were also instructed to inform passengers of the list of banned carry-on items when boarding flights. He started yelling and cursing saying, “What, do you think I’m a terrorist? I’m not a f*#!in terrorist!” I admit losing my cool a bit and shouted back, “Look sir, no one thinks you’re a terrorist and do you think you’re the only one who is being told to abide by this list? Every single passenger in the entire world is in the same situation as you!” The tension was extremely high throughout the conversation. We both eventually calmed down and even parted with a mutual understanding and camaraderie, if you will.

The toughest part of the job was always helping people flying on bereavement fares, those traveling to attend funerals. I often found myself being more than an agent, but also a counselor to those grieving. It was hard not to get a little emotional hearing them breakdown in tears. 9/11 brought that side out exponentially.

One of the things I took away from 9/11 was being an unexpected source of comfort in a very small way during a very dark time.

“WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?”

PLAYERS: Marianna Palka, Jason Ritter, Eric Edelstein, Martin Starr, Mark Webber, Tom Arnold

COACH: Marianna Palka (Directorial debut)

STYLE: Indie romance / Tower Video (or any video store) humor

MEMORABLE QUOTE: “Dude, you can’t talk to the porn customers…”

This is not a porn. This is not a porn review. Sorry if there were any preconceived notions. This is an independent film directed by and starring Marianna Palka, whom I’ve never ever heard of before. But she sure caught my attention here. Good Dick is an indie romance that tells the tale of a video store worker who falls for an introvert of a girl that frequents his aisles in search of soft porn and female erotica. She is a regular and has drawn the intrigue of the entire staff but captures the heart of the one particular clerk. The story progresses along, humorously at that, as he goes to EXTREME lengths to win her over. I don’t want to give away anymore, so I’ll just say that he’s in it to win it. There’s also character layers to peel as you become to understand why she is the way she is.

The male lead is played by Jason Ritter, son of the late, great John Ritter. He is the spitting image of his father and exudes the same boy-ish Three’s Company expressions that make you sympathize with his character. I thought Palka did a great job in her directorial debut. A lot of movies slap the “indie” label to give itself an edge, but this really had the low budget indie feel. A little twisted, charming, funny, and melancholy, it was fascinating to watch. As a rental, this was worth every pretty penny.

(I added the Tower reference as a shout-out to my Tower peeps because I couldn’t help but relate to being on that side of the counter and the similar comments we used to make about the people in the naughty-naughty aisle.)

$ VALUE: $$$$

$$$$$ – “You’re so money, you don’t even know it.”

$$$$ – “Worth every penny.”

$$$ – “Fair price.”

$$ – “I’m not made of money.”

$ – “A fool and his money are soon parted.”

Posted in comedy, indie, Movies, romantic comedy Tagged: critic, dvd review, Marianna Palka, Movies, tower video ]]> http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/love-bites-and-kicks-and-screams-and-pulls/feed/ 3 lonebeagle good_dick http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/80s-fair/ http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/80s-fair/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:16:33 +0000 Scott http://newjackswinger.wordpress.com/?p=370 ]]>

“IT WAS THE WORST JOB THEY EVER IMAGINED…AND THE BEST TIME OF THEIR LIVES.”

PLAYERS: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds

COACH: Greg Mottola (Superbad)

STYLE: Comedy / Another 80′s retrospect

MEMORABLE QUOTE: “Yeah, Frigo was my best friend. Then, I turned four.”

Admit it. No matter how gawdy or ridiculous the 1980′s looks in retrospect, it is an era that houses so many endearing memories and moments that set the standard for some of the hip cultures of today.

A movie like Adventureland, written and directed by Greg Mottola of Superbad fame, one would come to expect something lewd and raunchy. But actually it is a nice ode to the 80′s, viewed through his eyes as a kid growing up. Set in 1987, it’s a story of a boy eager to earn money over his summer vacation. He gets a job working at the local amusement park where he befriends the park’s cast of characters. Sounds fascinating right? Actually it doesn’t. But the enjoyment for me was being able to relate to certain moments and reminisce of my own teenage experiences. Mottola did a great job paying attention to detail when recreating the 80′s look and feel. From the cars, the references, the hair styles, the music, and the dancing.

I loved going to carnivals as a kid, so seeing that as the backdrop gave me an emotional attachment. From the cheap thrill rides to the food to the dinky games, it’s very nostalgic. Despite the simple plot, Adventureland is a sweet story with lots of funny moments and a strong cast. The film is not trying to recreate an 80′s flick, nor is it trying to be a retro American Pie. That’s a good thing. It’s one of those movies that doesn’t need a whole lot of explaining, but is an amusing one to watch.

$ VALUE: $$$$

$$$$$ – “You’re so money, you don’t even know it.”

$$$$ – “Worth every penny.”

$$$ – “Fair price.”

$$ – “I’m not made of money.”

$ – “A fool and his money are soon parted.”